Rural Health Transformation Program – Individual State Plans Now Available

SunHawk is pleased to announce that all individual state plans submitted for the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) are now available. States have applied for their share of the $50 billion in funding over five years, and rural organizations preparing to apply for sub-grant funding should begin by reviewing and aligning with their state’s strategy and priorities.

To support this process, SunHawk developed a free, interactive resource outlining each state’s planned interventions, goals, and key metrics[1]. The State Map (https://sunhawkconsulting.com/rural-health-transformation/) provides quick access to state-specific information, streamlining research for eligible rural healthcare facilities and providers. By increasing visibility into state priorities, this tool also encourages collaboration, shared learning, and transparency across the country.

What This Means for Providers

Rural healthcare organizations should review their state plans in detail to:

• Align internal initiatives with state-identified goals and outcomes
• Understand expected operational impacts, such as workforce expansion, technology adoption, reporting requirements, infrastructure needs, and partnership development
• Prepare for upcoming sub-grant opportunities, recognizing that states receive the funds directly and organizations will apply through state-led processes

Providers should evaluate their current capabilities and consider opportunities to expand or modify services in high-priority areas such as:

• Care coordination and case management
• Telemedicine and digital health expansion
• Community Health Worker (CHW) programs
• Substance use and co-occurring disorder programs
• Behavioral health integration
• School-based health services
• Maternal and prenatal health programs
• Primary care expansion and access initiatives

Understanding timelines, application processes, and documentation requirements early will support strong and timely grant submissions.

Eligible Provider Types

While eligibility varies by state, CMS identifies the following rural provider groups as potential participants:

• Rural Health Clinics (RHCs)
• Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs)
• Rural workforce training institutions (Community Colleges, Residency Programs, High Schools, etc.)
• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
• Community Health Centers (CHCs)
• Rural EMS agencies
• Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs)
• Community-based organizations
• School-Based Health Centers (SBHCs)

Primary Care and Mental Health providers serving rural communities

CMS RHTP Core Goals

When reviewing your state plan, assess alignment with CMS’s national program goals[2]:

1. Make Rural America Healthy Again
   Advance preventative health and address root causes of disease through evidence-based interventions improving chronic disease management, behavioral health, and prenatal outcomes.
2. Sustainable Access to Care
   Strengthen long-term viability of rural providers through shared resources, improved efficiency, care coordination, and system partnerships.
3. Workforce Development
   Recruit, train, and retain rural healthcare professionals and support models allowing providers to practice at the top of their license.
4. Innovative Care Models
   Promote flexible, value-driven care arrangements and implement payment structures that encourage improved outcomes and cost efficiency.
5. Technology Innovation
   Expand adoption of digital health tools, remote care access, secure data sharing, cybersecurity, and emerging technology solutions.

How SunHawk Can Support You

SunHawk consultants bring expertise and experience supporting rural health organizations including RHCs, CAHs, FQHCs, CHCs, SBHCs, primary care, behavioral health, and other community-based providers. We help organizations design, implement, and scale programs that improve access and outcomes for rural communities.

Our services include:

• RFP & Grant Proposal Development
• Program Development for Substance Use & Co-Occurring Disorders
• Rural Mental & Physical Health Program Design
• Integrated Behavioral Health Models
• Rural Health Hub Development
• Quality Assurance & Performance Improvement (QAPI)
• Compliance Program Development & Auditing
• Project & Program Management
• Health Information Management & Medical Records
• Healthcare Privacy, Security & Cyber Preparedness
• Governance Support & Interim Leadership

Partner With SunHawk

Contact our team to learn how to leverage RHTP funding opportunities, align with state priorities, and build programs that improve clinical quality, financial sustainability, and community health outcomes.

SunHawk is ready to support your planning, strategy, and implementation needs.

[1] All publicly available data are current as of December 22, 2025. New and additional information to be included as soon as it becomes available.

[2] CMS, Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, 12.10.2025 (https://www.cms.gov/priorities/rural-health-transformation-rht-program/overview)

Brigita Landstrom
Director
SunHawk Consulting

Brigita Fody Landstrom has 25 years of Medicare/Medicaid managed care, Community Health Center Quality, and large hospital and healthcare systems experience. Passionate about population health, Brigita has dedicated her career to serving the health of communities, with extra attention on traditionally marginalized populations. Brigita has worked with leaders and regulators within multiple market segments on data-driven systems improvement, large-scale health program implementation, grant writing, risk contracting, budget development, policy development, and staff training and support.